Tennis vs. Pickleball: Participation, Revenue, and Value

Introduction: The Tomato vs. Lettuce Debate

Let’s set the record straight: the battle between tennis and pickleball isn’t a fair fight—it’s a trendy popularity contest masking a deeper truth about value, sustainability, and return on investment. Yes, pickleball is exploding in popularity. Yes, it’s fun, social, and easy to learn. But when city planners and community leaders sit down to decide how to allocate public space and resources, they need to look beyond buzzwords and hype.

Because comparing tennis to pickleball is like comparing a nutritional powerhouse tomato to a flimsy piece of lettuce. Sure, lettuce looks fresh, fills a plate, and garners instant appeal—but it's mostly water and wilts quickly. Meanwhile, the tomato is packed with depth, flavor, and sustenance—just like tennis, which builds stronger athletes, longer-term programming, and more robust revenue for cities.

Across the U.S.—and especially in high-demand regions like Southern California—the surge in pickleball has led to calls for converting tennis courts and shifting funding. But here’s the problem: tennis programs consistently generate more revenue per court than pickleball, thanks to structured coaching, league play, tournaments, and a long developmental pipeline from youth to senior levels. Pickleball’s low-cost, drop-in nature makes it accessible, but also less financially sustainable in the long run.

This essay dives deep into the real numbers behind participation and revenue. We’ll explore how Southern California municipalities are navigating this balancing act, and why tennis, with its multi-generational appeal and high return per square foot, remains the smarter investment for cities focused on long-term value. We’ll highlight how comparing the two sports without context creates a false narrative—one that risks undervaluing a sport that continues to serve as a foundation for community recreation, youth development, and economic sustainability.

In short, lettuce may be all the rage, but it’s the tomato that keeps you going.

Los Angeles Snapshot – Tennis vs. Pickleball

Los Angeles, a sprawling metropolis renowned for its vibrant sports culture and year-round favorable climate, serves as a microcosm for analyzing the dynamics between tennis and pickleball. The city's extensive infrastructure and demographic diversity provide a fertile ground for both sports, yet a closer examination reveals tennis's superior positioning in terms of participation, facilities, and economic impact.

Recent data underscores the prominence of both sports in the Los Angeles area:

• Pickleball: Approximately 9.6% of the Los Angeles Designated Market Area (DMA) population has engaged in pickleball at least once in the past year, translating to around 4.7 million individuals.  (APP Data)

• Tennis: While specific local participation figures are not readily available, national trends indicate a robust tennis community. In 2023, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) reported 23.8 million tennis players nationwide, with core participants (those playing 10 or more times annually) numbering 11.8 million.  Given Los Angeles's size and climate, it's reasonable to infer a significant and active tennis populace. (USTA Data)

Infrastructure and Court Availability

The availability and quality of facilities are critical for sustained participation and revenue generation:

• Tennis Facilities: Los Angeles boasts an extensive network of tennis courts. The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks operates numerous pay-to-play tennis courts across various locations, including Balboa, Cheviot Hills, and Poinsettia courts, among others.  Additionally, private and public institutions, such as the Los Angeles Tennis Center at UCLA, contribute to the city's rich tennis infrastructure.  LA Parks+2LA Parks+2LA Parks+2UCLA Recreation

• Pickleball Facilities: Despite its growing popularity, pickleball infrastructure in Los Angeles remains underdeveloped. The city has approximately 16 dedicated pickleball courts, with many facilities relying on temporary setups.  This scarcity often leads to overcrowding and limits the sport's growth potential. Furthermore, reports indicate that metropolitan areas like Los Angeles are 98% below the national average for dedicated pickleball courts per 10,000 people. 
  (Athletic Business)

Revenue Generation Potential

The economic impact of a sport is closely tied to its infrastructure and programming:

• Tennis: The well-established tennis infrastructure in Los Angeles facilitates a variety of revenue-generating activities, including private lessons, group clinics, leagues, and tournaments. The pay-to-play model implemented at many city-operated courts, with fees averaging around $12 per hour, contributes significantly to municipal revenues. LA Parks Additionally, tennis's appeal across diverse age groups and skill levels ensures consistent demand for these services.

• Pickleball: While pickleball's informal, drop-in nature enhances accessibility, it poses challenges for structured revenue generation. The lack of dedicated facilities and organized programming limits opportunities for monetization through lessons, leagues, and events. Moreover, the initial investment required to establish dedicated pickleball courts, estimated at $900 million nationally to meet current demand, presents a significant financial hurdle for municipalities. (Sports and Fitness Industry Association)

Conclusion

In the context of Los Angeles, tennis demonstrates a clear advantage over pickleball regarding infrastructure, participation depth, and revenue potential. The city's extensive network of tennis facilities supports a wide array of programs that cater to various demographics, fostering sustained engagement and economic benefits. Conversely, pickleball's rapid ascent is hindered by infrastructural limitations and a lack of formalized programming, which constrain its long-term viability and financial contribution.

As municipal authorities and community leaders deliberate on resource allocation, it is imperative to consider these factors. Investing in tennis infrastructure not only capitalizes on an established, revenue-generating sport but also ensures the provision of comprehensive recreational opportunities for the diverse Los Angeles populace.